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Alternatives to Neonicotinoids for Insect

Control in Greenhouses and Retail Centers

Frank A. Hale, Ph.D.

Professor

Entomology and Plant Pathology

Pests of Concern in Garden Centers

Sucking insects such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects, thrips etc. are the most likely pests

Mites such as spider mites, broad mites and cyclamen mites are also potential pests

Broad mite Twospotted spider mites and damage

Greenhouse vs Retail Center Pest Control

Most pest control takes place in the greenhouse prior to shipping

Retail centers should only accept pest free plants from suppliers

Greenhouse vs Retail Center Pest Control

Neonicotinoid use in greenhouses provides long lasting control that benefits retail centers and their customers

Greenhouse plants not treated with a neonicotinoid may require more frequent pest scouting

Greenhouse vs Retail Center Pest Control

Retail Center pest control is more difficult due to the presence of customers during the day and possibly early evening

Greenhouse vs Retail Center Pest Control

Reentry intervals (REI) after an insecticide application need to be strictly followed

Most insecticides have a REI of 12 hours while that of many others is 4 hours and a few are either 24 hours or 48 hours

Snail damage

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An Ornamental Plant Pest Management Guide and Pesticide Rotation Planning Aid

Control options for nursery, greenhouse, interiorscape, and commercial landscape use sites

An online publication from UT Extension, UT AgResearch and Clemson University

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W329.pdf

Using the Guide The “x” in the pest column means that the

insecticide is labeled for that pest

Neonicotinoid insecticides are listed at the top of the second page of the chart (IRAC [mode of action] code 4A)

There are many chemical alternatives for neonicotinoids

Using the Guide For example, non-neonicotinoid insecticides for

aphids in the greenhouse are plentiful

Some select listed aphid insecticides are: XXpire(IRAC Code 4C + 5) - can only use existing stocks

Aria (9C)

Endeavor (9B)

Kontos (23)

Hachi-Hachi (21A)

Sirocco (6 + unknown mode of action)

Enstar AQ (7A), Preclude (7B), Distance IGR and Fulcrum (7C)

Rycar (unknown mode of action)

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XXpire

Active ingredients are sulfoxaflor + spinetoram(IRAC 4C + 5)

Since the EPA cancellation order on Nov. 12, 2015 for sulfoxaflor containing products, growers can only use their existing stocks of these products

For use in landscape, nursery and greenhouse

Canna leafroller

Aria

Active ingredient is flonicamid

For use in landscape, nursery and greenhouse

Listed pests include: aphids, armored scales, soft scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, leafhoppers, and plant bugs

Cottony cushion scale ovisacs and crawlers on Nandina

Endeavor

Active ingredient is pymetrozine

For use in landscape, nursery, greenhouse and interiorscape

Listed pests include: aphids and whiteflies

Kontos

Active ingredient is spirotetramat

For use in nursery, greenhouse, and interiorscape

Listed pests include: adelgids, aphids, psyllids, armored scales, soft scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, leafhoppers, broad mites, eriophyid mites, and spider mites

Mealybugs

Hachi-Hachi

Active ingredient is tolfenpyrad

For use in greenhouse

Listed pests include: aphids, armored scales, soft scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, leafhoppers, and caterpillars

Boisduval scale on orchid

Sirocco Active ingredients are abamectin + bifenazate

For use on landscape, nursery, greenhouse and interiorscape

Listed pests include: aphids, whiteflies, thrips, leafminer (fly), broad mite, eriophyid mites, spider mites

Broad mite damage

Eriophyid (rust) mites

Image courtesy of A. Windham, UT

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Enstar AQ

Active ingredient is s-kinoprene

For use in green and interiorscape

Listed pests include: aphids, armored scales, soft scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, leafhoppers, leafminer (fly or midge, moth, wasp), and fungus gnat

Daylily leafminer

Preclude TR

Active ingredient is fenoxycarb

For use in greenhouse

Listed pests include: aphids, armored scales, soft scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, weevils, caterpillars, leafminer (midge), broad mites, eriophyid mites, and spider mites

Whitefly nymphs image courtesy of A. Windham, UT

Distance IGR and Fulcrum Active ingredient is pyriproxifen

For use in landscape, nursery, greenhouse, and interiorscape

Listed pests include: aphids, armored scales, soft scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, leafminers (moth), fungus gnats, and shore flies

Various armored scale

Rycar Active ingredient is pyrifluquinazon

For use in greenhouse

Listed pests include aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips, and leafhoppers

Thrips damage on mumsCourtesy of Dan Potter, University of Kentucky

Scale Control Without Neonicotinoids

The key to scale control is to apply an insecticide with thorough coverage when the crawlers have emerged from the eggs

Thus, monitoring for crawlers is essential to determine the proper timing of the insecticide sprays

Armored Scale

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Scale Monitoring Sticky traps can be made to catch the emerging

scale crawlers

Use double sided Scotch tape, black electrical tape, or even white tape coated with a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Tape color depends on crawler color)

Flag the stem and check at least once per week starting 10-14 days before expected emergence

Scale Crawlers

Scale Insecticides

A dormant application of horticultural oil

Target crawlers with horticultural oil, malathion, Sevin, Carbaryl, Orthene, Insecticidal soap, Distance, Fulcrum, and Talus 70 DF

Insect Growth Regulator Insecticides

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as pyriproxyfen (Distance, Fulcrum) and buprofezin (Talus 70 DF) target crawlers

IGRs have been very effective on many species of immature scale

Crape Myrtle Bark ScaleEriococcus lagerostroemia

Images courtesy of M. Merchant, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

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Crape Myrtle Bark Scale

Image courtesy of M. Merchant, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

New fact sheets at: http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/pdf/fsa-7086.pdfAnd http://www.agrilifebookstore.org/product-p/eht-049.htm

Adult Female

Crape Myrtle Bark Scale EggsCrape Myrtle Bark Scale Populations - USA

RichardsonMcKinneyPlanoDallas

(2004, 2005,2006, 2007)

LongviewTyler

(2011, 2012)

Ardmore, OK(2012)

MindenAlexandria(2014)

ShreveportBossier City

(2011)

Germantown, TN (2013)Collierville, TN (2014)

Little Rock, AR(2014)

Houma(2012)

College Station(2013)

Newnan, GA(2013)

Monroe(2014)

In 2014, CMBS was also detected in Mobile, AL; Fayette County, TN; and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. In March 2015, CMBS was found in south Mississippi.

Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Control without Neonicotinoids

As needed, use a JD9-C spray gun at 125 – 150 psi with dishwashing soap or insecticidal soap solution as a pressure wash to physically remove scale

Apply a dormant application of horticultural oil

Crape Myrtle Bark Scale ControlWithout Neonicotinoids

Target crawlers with insecticide sprays when they emerge around early June and again for second generation crawlers in early August

EPP 450

What Does it Mean to Grow Bee-Friendly Plants in the Nursery?

Dave Smitley, January 22, 2016Michigan State University

The Home Depot Announces Neonic Plant Labels

(Oct. 2014)

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Which Nursery Insecticide Products are Neonicotinoids?

Technically, according the IRAC mode of action classification system, it is all insecticides in the 4A category. This includes :

acetamaprid (Tristar), but TriStar is relatively nontoxic to beesdinotefuran (Safari, Dinotefuran, Sagacity), thiomethoxam (Flagship) chlothianidin (Arena)imidacloprid (Marathon, Benefit, Discus, Imigold, Bounty, and others).

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Bee declines driven by combined stress from parasites, pesticides, and lack of flowers

Dave Goulson,* Elizabeth Nicholls, Cristina Botías, Ellen L. Rotheray

Over 170 scientific papers are cited.

April 2015

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

June - November 2015Recent Developments on Neonics and Bees

• One County in Maryland banned use of neonics (several cities around the country have done so already, like Boulder, Colorado)

• Lowe’s to phase-out neonics by 2019• Home Depot to phase-out neonics by 2018• Home Depot survey: 64% of greenhouse and nursery growers not

planning to use neonics in 2016

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

What Does it Mean to Grow Bee-Friendly Plants in the Nursery?

Two definitions of ‘bee-friendly’:1. Growing plants that will not be harmful to pollinators after they are

sold and planted in the yard and garden

2. Selling plants that are good food sources for bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

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In general, annual flowers are not good food plants for bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Genus species Common nameAchillea millefolium yarrowAgastache anise hyssopAsclepias tuberosa butterfly weedAllium spp. Onion, garlic, chives, leek, scallion Asclepias butterfly weed Aster (Ionactis, Eurybia

and Doellingeria) asterAstilbe spp. astilbeBerkheya purpuea asterBerlandiera lyrata aster Buddleia butterfly bushCalamintha nepeta lesser calamintCampanula spp. bellflowerCentaurea spp. corn flowersChrysanthemum serotinum leucanthémelle tardiveClematis spp. Clematis

*

Lots of Perennials are Highly Attractive to Bees*

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Cleome spp. spider plant Dahlia dahlia Echinacea cone flower Echinops globe thistleEremus stenophyllus foxtail lillyEryngium spp. eryngo, sea hollyFoeniculum fennel Gaillardia blanket flower Geranium ibericum x hardy geranium, blue cranesbill, (Geranium himalayense) Johnson’s blueHelenium sneezeweedHelianthus sunflowerHeliotropium arborescens garden heliotrope Hylotelephium sedumInula royleana Inula, Himalayan elecampane

Perennials Highly Attractive to Bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Lantana lantana Lavandula spp. lavender Liatris blazing star Lobularia sweet alyssumLobelia siphilitica great blue lobeliaMalva alcea cut-leaf mallowMentha spp. mintsMelissa officinalis lemon balm Monarda bee balm Nepeta catmint Ocimum basilicum basil Origanum vulgare oregano

Perennials Highly Attractive to Bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Papaver rhoeas poppiesPenstemon foxglove or beardtongues Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian sageRosmarinus officinalis rosemary Rudbekia spp rudbekia Salvia salvia Scabiosa pincushion flower Sedum sedum Symphyotrichum asterThymus thyme Veronica longifolia garden speedwell

Perennials Highly Attractive to bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Aronia melanocarpa black chokeberryCephalanthus occidentalis buttonbushClethra alnifolia summersweetCornus spp. silky, gray, and red-osier dogwoodsCotoneaster cotoneasterFothergilla gardenia dwarf fothergillaHamamelis virginiana common witch-hazelIlex aquifolium, Ilex crenata,

llex verticillata holly (European, Japanese, winterberry)Ligustrum vulgare privetPhiladelphus coronarius mock orange Physocarpos opulifolius eastern ninebark

Shrubs Highly Attractive to Bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

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Potentilla fruiticosa potentilla, bush cinquefoilRhus spp. sumacsRosa rugosa rugosa roseRubus spp. raspberrySambucus spp. elderberry Spiraea spiraeaViburnum opulus European cranberry bush

Shrubs Highly Attractive to Bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Acer rubrum red mapleAmelanchier spp. serviceberryCatalpa speciosa Catalpa, CatawbaCercis canadensis eastern redbudCornus alternifolia alternate-leaved, pagoda dogwoodCercis Canadensis eastern redbudCrataegus spp. (many) hawthornLiriodendron tulipifera tulip-treeMalus sp. (many) crabappleNyssa sylvatica black tupeloPhiladelphus coronarius mock orangePrunus spp. (many) cherry, peach, plum, almondPyrus calleryana callery pear, Bradford pearRobinia pseudoacacia black locustSalix sp. willowTetradium daniellii bee-bee tree (escape potential)Tilia americana linden, basswoodTilia cordata little leaf linden

Trees Highly Attractive to Bees

What does it mean to grow bee-friendly plants in the nursery? Dr. Dave Smitley, Michigan State U., January 6, 2016

Safety and Use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides in the LandscapeIf flowering weeds such as dandelions and white clover are present: Mow the turf immediately before spraying any

insecticide. This will remove 90% or more of the flowers and reduce pollinator foraging.

Mow frequently to remove blooms when neonicotinoids are used

Remove weeds with herbicide

by Dr. Doug Richmond, Purdue University

Safety and Use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Landscapes

Maintain buffers (a buffer strip of turfgrass 2-3 feet between the treated turf and the margin of the landscape bed)

This will minimize the potential for unintended uptake by the roots of flowering ornamentals

by Dr. Doug Richmond, Purdue University

Questions?

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB1594.pdf

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB1595.pdf